When I first saw this photo, my first thought was “Why, hello, James Bond…” That’s what he looks like, right? Sexy and dashing and dangerous, like he could get you pregnant just by squinting. Well, I googled Jude just to see if he was up to anything that I could write about, and I found this epic, hilarious, smug-bastard interview with Jude that makes it pretty clear he knows how gorgeous he is. He tells a German publication: “If I have a look around at the moment I feel great relief because finally others are entering the limelight. Men like Robert Pattinson must now play the Adonis. For me it was always a restraint, a restriction.” Oh, brother. Here’s more:

JUDE LAW is happy to surrender his status as a Hollywood heart-throb to ROBERT PATTINSON – insisting the young TWILIGHT actor has already taken his place.

Law, 37, is convinced he is now too old to be considered a pin-up, especially as so many young stars are breaking into the movie business and securing legions of loyal followers.

And the Brit is relieved he can finally shed his image as a Hollywood hunk – because he has always been uncomfortable with the title.

He tells Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, “If I have a look around at the moment I feel great relief because finally others are entering the limelight. Men like Robert Pattinson must now play the Adonis. For me it was always a restraint, a restriction.”

“My goal was always to be recognized as a good actor but no one was interested in that, simply because society just wants to warm towards your appearance. This is the great blemish of society.”

“When you suddenly appear on the scene and you are the new face, everything centers on you. I experienced this in my mid-20s and I found it rather hard.”

Easy, Receding Hairline. Jude is saying that for all of these years, he was “playing the Adonis” right? Now, don’t get me wrong. Jude was and is a beautiful man. But there’s nothing so ugly as a man who pontificates upon his own beauty. Jude is becoming… dare I say it… Jessica Biel-esque. What kills me is that even in the beginning of Jude’s career, he was recognized as a good actor. Yes, we talked about how lovely he was, but we always added “… and he can act too.” Damn it, James Bond.

Jude Law at the ‘All that glam’ charity event in Moscow on January 28, 2010. Also, Jude at the London Theatre Critics’ Awards on January 26, 2010. Credit: WENN.

I’ll take Chris Pine over Jude Law any day. I think Leonardo Dicaprio or Brad Pitt look more attractive than Jude Law but would never compare themselves to Adonis, that sounds so crass. I wander if he checks himself in the mirror every morning and exclaims “My God, I’m Gorgeous”, I lost all respect for Jude Law.

I don’t read what he says to be conceited at all. I believe he is saying he was restricted by people judging him by and being hung up on his looks rather than paying attention to his acting ability. Now that there’s new meat in Robert Pattinson, he can now be considered for his acting ability. The Adonis reference is accurate as that’s how the vampire that Robert Pattinson is referred to in the Twilight and New Moon books.

And, let’s be honest with ourselves. Not all but many people in many societies are terribly hung up on good-looking people. And, sorry, good looking and can act too is a “left-handed” complement. Some of these people want to be seen for abilities and character and realize their assemblage of facial features are an accident, not an accomplishment.

Thank you kermit. That’s what I got too. He’s not my type – too pretty but I see nothing wrong with him acknowledging that fans and the media focused more on his looks than on his talent, which we all know is the truth. Sheesh.

“He is too skinny and fragile looking to me. I like a man who looks like a man.”

What is it with all these actors that look anorexic? They look sick, not sexy. Law is attractive, but I agree with MJ, he’s looks to skinny and fragile. They look guant and malnourished. It’s a turn off. Joseph Fiennes is a perfect example of this too. Look at Daniel Day Lewis: that’s another walking cadaver. Also, remember Ralk Fiennes when he was in Shindler’s List? He looked MUCH sexier and MUCH more attractive in that movie (where he had to gain some weight) than he did later on as a skinny man.

Seconded, Kermit – that’s how I read it. He was the Hot Guy and now he’s relieved not to be the centre of QUITE so much attention because there are other, younger Hot Guys.

And re: Ana’s comment above, personally I like it when a celeb acknowledges they’re hot. I get so damn sick of reading interviews with gorgeous actresses saying “What, little old me? Attractive? Well, I scrub up okay… but if you saw me in the mornings, sheesh… no, I lost the baby weight running round after the kids”, all that bullshit that dresses up as modesty, when the fact is that they’re self-obsessed, self-adoring and spend 90% of their waking hours dieting, exercising and preening to maintain their looks, greasing up in a bikini for the photoshoot that will accompany their quotes about what an ordinary girl they are.

I read a quote once from Milla Jovovich, though, where she said, “I’m never going to pretend to think I’m anything other than a very pretty girl”. I love her for that. No false modesty, no little-old-me, just, Yes, I’m hot, I know.

I don’t think this is egotistical, he’s simply stating a fact. People do judge him and his roles are affected by the way he looks and he can’t help the role the public put him in because of his physicality. What can’t someone simply admit something without people thinking they are full of themselves? He’s talking about people’s perceptions of him and how it affected his life, and it is a superficial world and industry.

Hmmph. Christian Bale, Viggo Mortensen, Daniel Craig, George Clooney – and I suppose you could chuck in de Caprio and Pitt if you wish – all great looking men, who are respected as actors. Never held them back.

Jude Law is actually quite good, but his performances in Hollywood fare pales in comparison to his Brtish and independently produced films like “Wilde”, “Gattaca”, “Existenz” with the exception of Ripley and Cold Mountain….

I’ve never been a die-hard Jude fan (and those bitches are crazy), but I can understand what he is trying to say, because sometimes looking too good can be a liability if quality roles are what you’re after.

I just hate it when these vapid pretty-boys and girls start whining about how disadvantaged they are being “bootiful”. Bish, please, how many people spend thousands of dollars to looks ugly. They should just thank God every day that they were born with looks and that they were able to take advantage of them. Life is a lot easier when you’re pretty.

This guys wears a lot of make up for press and films. I have seen this guy LIVE and he is NO Adonis. Seriously. I was really dissappointed how ordinary e looks in real life. When girls swoon over this guy, I always laugh. If you want to know a man.Look at his friends and family. He’s into three-somes& back in London.When the press caught him with Sienna Drop her knickers the very 1st time. His wife was NOT worried. Cos, he has done it before and she herself had slept with Sienna. So, She did not think it was a big deal. The divource almost cleaned out Jude,cos his wife had the upper hand and the pics, vids etc.

He will never be a real leading man due to be poor acting or win an Oscar. He is over hyped and not very talented. He is a bi-sexual douche and he is conceited with Jessica Biel-esque airs of granduer and self importance.

Agree with you Kermit. I know every time that man is interviewed, he is probably questioned on his looks and probably has to address it.

Brilliant response Kermit and Lenore. I mean Halle Berry and Hamm must know they are physically blessed and to act otherwise would be so stupid. Halle is confidently aware of her looks without gloating. I am getting that from Law as well.

I understand what he means by society wants to warm to your appearance and IT IS a great blemish on society. Last Wednesday, whilst riding a crowded train, this man bypasses everyone else and offers me a seat. I, in turn offered it to another lady who had looked more exhausted. He was not trying to hit on me or anything. It’s sad really. I mean free tickets, merchandise, perks etc. are all nice, but to be on the receiving end just because you are good looking? I am never comfortable with that.

This sort of thing happens EVERYDAY. People just gravitate toward the more attractive people and treat them better. It definitely is a human failing attributable to many societies.